Sulky-plow



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1} S. D. POOLE & B. CROSS.

' SULKY PLOW.

No. 510,363 Patented'Dec. 5, 1893.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

S. D. POOLE 81; B. GROSS.

SULKY'PLQW.

No. 510,363. Patented Dec. 5, 1893.

ms mmoNAL umgemmme coMPANv.

WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES ATENT with. I

STALEY D. POOLE AND BRADFORD CROSS, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TOTHE DEERE A: COMPANY, OF ILLINOIS.

SU LKY-PLOW.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 510,363, dated December5, 1893.

Application filed July 19, 1893. Serial No. 480,934. (No model.) I

To all whom it Matyconcern:

Be it known that we, STALEY D. POOLE and BRADFORD CROSS, citizens of theUnited States, residing at Moline, in the county of Rock Island andState of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Sulky-Plows and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable oth- IO ersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in plows,but more particularly toa class of riding or sulky plows.

r5 The objects of the invention are to provide improved means forraising and lowering the plow by the action of a foot and hand leverworking together so as to constitute in effect a one-lever movement,thus lightening the la- :0 bor in elevating the plow and controlling itsmovements; and also to provide improved evening devices, whereby theplow is caused to run smoothly and evenly through the soil while thesupporting wheels run over com rows, obstructions and irregularitiesupon the surface.

The invention will first be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, and then pointed out in the claims at the end of thisdescription.

Referring to the drawings, which form a part of this specification, andin which similar letters are used to denote similar parts of the machinein each of the several views,

5 Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a sulky plow embodying ourinvention. Fig. 2 is a detached side view of a part of the machine,showing the arrangement of the hand and foot levers and attached parts.Fig. 3 is 0 a rear view of the same; and Fig.4 a perspective viewthereof. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are detached views showing a springattachment.

The plow-frame may be of the form shown' or of any preferredconstruction, and may be 5 supported upon the wheelsA, A, Aiarranged asshown, or in any proper manner. The

I land-wheel A, is jonrnaled upon a crank axle B, which is fitted inbearings in the main frame of the machine, transversely thereof,

and has firmly secured to its opposite end two metallic or othersuitable clamping plates 0,

0', between which is fitted a stout steel rod or other suitable springD, for a purpose to be described. A hand lever E, is fitted so as toswing loosely on the axle B, and is held in any desired position bymeans of the rack F,

and pawl engaging therewith, therack being secured to the frame of themachine. The lever E, carries a second rack G, which controls themovement of a short hand lever H. The lever H, is not fastened directlyto the axle, but indirectly thereto, by means of the plates 0, O, andspring D, the latter being clamped between said plates and having itsfree end passed througha loop or eye I, projecting from an adjustableslide or clamp I, which may be adjusted and held in any desired positionupon the lever by means of a set screw c', or other proper fastening.The lug or projection 1', upon the slideI, has a suitable openingtherethrough to receive and permit the upper end of thespring D, toslide therein so that the clamp may be moved up or down the lever andsecured in the desired position so as to vary the tension of the springat will. A flexible connection is thus provided between the land-wheelA, and the elevating mechanism which permits the landwheel to ride overcorn rows, obstructions, or irregularities in the surface of the soil,and to accommodate itself to the uneven surface or roughness of theground without adecting the plow; the weight on the axle being thrownupon the spring D, so as to allow the plow to run evenly through thesoil. The furrowwheel A, is made vertically adjustable prefably by meansof a sliding rack-bar a, the teeth of which engage a toothed segment K,pivoted to the forward part of the frame of the machine. A connectingrod or bar e, 0 extends from the hand-lever E, to the segment K, and asecond rod Z, connects the depending end of a foot-lever L, with saidsegment; said lever L, being fulorumed upon the frame of the machine inclose proximity 5 to the hand-lever E, and the pivotal connections ofthe two rods e, Z, with the segment K, being coincident, so that saidlevers may work in unison for the purpose of raising the plow. Thefoot-lever and the long hand-lever being [00 thus made to act together,enable the plowman to easily raise the plow and requires but littleexertion. The slide orclampI, may be moved down upon the lever II, untilit rests between two lugs c, c, on the plate 0', whereupon it becomesrigid with the axle; but when the clamp is slid up, the weight on theaxle falls on the spring D, and the leverage of the spring may beincreased or decreased at will by moving the clamp and securing it indifferent positions upon the lever. It will be observed that when theshort lever is set in a given position with its pawl in the rackfastened to the long lever, if the long lever be moved the short leverwill move therewith, the two levers moving as one, but they are alsoindependently movable. It will also be Observed that when the hand-leverE, is drawn backward and pressure is simultaneously applied to thefoot-lever L, so as to push the long arm thereof forward, the connectingrods e, Z, will be simultaneously pulled backward so as to lower thewheels A, and A, and thereby raise the plow; the arrangement being suchthat the point of the plow is first lifted so that the team also aids inbringing it-outof the ground. The short lever II, moves with the longlever E, so thatin the ordinary manipulation of the plow the two leversserve practically as one, but the short lever has in addition anindependent action and is used to regulate the position of theland-wheel. The weight of the frame aids in lowering the plow, so thatpressure upon the foot-leveris relieved; but to prevent too suddenmovement of the hand-lever, pressure may be applied to the foot-leverwhen the hand-lever is thrown forward, so that one lever will pullagainst the other and thereby steady the movement of the parts inlowering the plow. It will also be observed that the front end of themain frame islifted above the furrow-wheel so that the latter may beturned clear under the plow without striking the frame and withoutinterference with other parts of the machine, which is a decidedadvantage in turning short corners.

\Vhile we preferably employ the vertically adjustable rack-bar andsegment engaging therewith for the purpose of adj usting the furrowwheel, it is obvious that other means may be employed and instead of thesegment, a bell-crank having one end pivoted to a vertically sliding rodor spindle supporting the wheel and the other end thereof pivoted to theconnecting rods 6, Z, might be substituted for the segment and rack. Itis also apparent that other means may be employed for adjusting andsecuring the lever H, in a fixed position in respect to the sulky frame,and other parts may be modified without departingfrom the spirit of theinvention; hence we do notdesire to be limited to the exact constructionand arrangement of parts described and shown.

The invention as thus far described is capable of use independently ofthe spring attachment which assists in raising the plow (and which isillustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7) as will now be described. But thisattachment is preferably employed in connection with the hereinbeforedescribed lifting mechanism. The essential feature of this attachmentresides in a counter-balancing powerstoring spring which is adapted toassist in raising the plow, and is so arranged in respect to the liftinglever that when the latter is moved so as to lower the plow the force ofthe spring will gradually increase tending to resist the movement of thelever, which is compensated by a corresponding gradual increase in theleverage. Springs of different kinds may be arranged in different waysto accomplish the desired result; but a preferred arrangement isillustrated in the accompan yiug drawings wherein we have shown a coiledspring M, fitting upon a rod N, which may be pivoted at one end, as atn, to a bracket or casting 0, or any suitable part of the frame, whileits free end is adapted to slide in an opening or eye 1), of a bracketor casting P, attached to the lifting lever E. The brackets or castingsO, I, are preferably adj ustably secured, so that the one (0) may bemoved horizontally and the other (P) vertically, for the purpose ofvarying the tension of the spring which is interposed between thebracket P and a collar or shoulder m, on the rod N, so that when thelever is thrown forward the spring will be gradually compressed andresist the forward movement. The bracket or casting P, may consist of anangle iron having a bifurcated portion 19, with perforated armsstraddling the lever E, as shown more clearly in Fig. 7, and securedthereto by a suitable key or pin 19 The casting or bracket 0, mayconsist of a suitable plate having flanges 0, overlapping the edges ofthe frame bar Q, and provided with a hubportion or boss 0, through whichand through the eye of the rod N, the pivot bolt 71., may pass, so as toclamp the eye or head of the rod between the head of said bolt and saidboss. As will be seen, the pivot of the lever E, is below the plane ofthe pivot of the rod N, and in the extreme forward and back positions ofthe lever and rod, indicated in dotted and full lines, respectively, inFig. 5, the angle of inclination between the spring and lever will beless than in the intermediate position slightly back of a perpendicularline passing through the pivot of the lever, and this angle willgradually decrease as the lever is moved either forward or back of thisintermediate point. The effect is that on the forward movement of thelever the spring, being gradually compressed, will gradually increase inpower and the power of the lever will also be correspondingly increased.

The pivot of the lifting lever being fixed relatively to the pivot ofthe rod which supports the counterbalancing spring, a part of the forceexerted by the spring is resisted and nullified byfthe inability of thelever to move in the direction in which the force is applied. The forceexerted by the spring in lifting the plow will depend upon its tensionandthe angle of inclination between 'its' supporting rod and the liftinglever. The angle of inclination attained by the spring and rod is leastwhen in the position shown indotted lines in .Fig. 5, while the tensionof the spring is at its maximum. But the point of maximum advantage isattained after the lifting lever on its rearward movement passes aperpendicular line cutting its pivot, at which point there is thegreatest angle of inclination between the spring and lever; and thepercentage of power exerted by the spring and available in lifting theplow varies between these two points, graduallyincreasing from theposition or point of least advantage, from which the lever is movedbackward in raising the plow, until the point of maximum advantage isreached, at which point the angle between the lever and rod beinggreatest the greatest percentage of the force of the spring is availablefor lifting the plow. The spring, however, does not exert its greatestpower at this particular point, but exerts its power to the greatestadvantage for lifting. The tension of the spring constantly decreasesduring its travel from the foremost to the rearmost position of thelever, while its capacity for work increases until the point of greatestadvantage is reached, from, which point it constantly loses both intension and in the advantage under which it acts, to the limit of itsrearward movement. After passing the point of greatest advantage,however, the loss of power is compensated by the fact that the plow willhave about reached the end i of its lift. By moving the pivot of thespringsupporting rod toward or from the pivot of the lever, the leveragemay be varied, and as these centers are made to approach each other, thepoint of maximum advantage recedes from the point of maximum tension,or, in other words, the arc of compensation is increased. After passingthe point of maximum advantage in its rearward movement, the springrapidly loses its effect as an aid in lifting the plow, but, as statedabove, in this part of the travel of the spring its power is not needed,as the plow has been lifted. I By this arrangement of differentialleverages, the lifting power of the spring is approximately equalizedthroughout alarge portion of its travel over the are described by thepoint of attachment thereof to the lever E, and the adj ustability ofthe brackets 0, and P, or its pivotal connections, permits of the utmostnicety of adjustment for the purpose of varying the tension of thespring and the advantage under which it acts. It is apparent, of course,that the action of the spring would be the same if the spring-supportingrod were pivoted at one end to the bracket P, or the lifting lever, withits free end arranged to slide in an eye or opening in the bracket 0, orother suitable part orfixture of the frame; this latter arrangementbeing an obvious modification of the arrangement described and shown.

The rear wheel A may be journaled in a suitable yoke or frame A which isadjustably connected with the plow beam preferably as follows:A bracketor casting R, has slots 0, r, which receive the fastening bolts S, S, bywhich the casting is secured to the beam in such manner as to permit anadjustment along the same to change the suck of the plow. A rod or barV, extends lengthwise of the bracket and is secured thereto by a clip T,and bolt U, the casting being slotted longitudinally to receive the boltU, so that the rod or bar may be moved either forward or back for thepurpose of shifting the position .of the rear wheel, as in case of usinga moldboard of considerable length and for the purpose of preventing thewheel from striking the moldboard when the machine is turned. Thisadjustment is accomplished by loosening the clip T, and bolt U,whereupon the rod or bar V, may be slid either forward or back andsecured in the desired position by tightening the clip and bolt.

The yoke or frame A may be pivoted or otherwise secured to the rear endof the rod V, in any proper manner, according to requirements or thedesires of the manufacturer.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a wheel plow, the main frame, the plow, the hand-lever and meansconnected therewith for raising and lowering said plow, in combinationwith the co-acting foot-lever and connections between the same and saidplow independent of said hand-lever, whereby the hand and foot leversare adapted to operate conjointly in raising the plow, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a wheel plow, the main frame, the plow, the hand-lever pivotallysupported on said frame, and intermediate mechanism connecting saidlever and plow for the purpose of raising the plow, in combination witha foot-lever also fulcrumed on said frame adtion with the sulky frame,of the crank axle, the pivoted hand-lever having the rack sup- I portedthereon, means for adjusting and looking said lever in variouspositions, a second lever fitted loosely on said axle, means for lockingsaid second lever to said rack, a

spring having one end fixed to the axle and the opposite end thereofextending in the plane of said second lever,and an adjustable clampconnecting the lever and spring, substantially as described.

4. In combination with the plow beam, the

crank axle, the hand-lever fitting loosely on said axle, a rack carriedthereby, means for locking said lever and rack in the desired position,a second han d-lever also fitted loosely on said axle and means forlocking the same in engagement with said rack, a spring fixed to saidaxle and connected to the last named lever so as to form a yieldingconnection between said parts, and means for varying the force of thespring, so bstantially as described.

5. The combination with the sulky frame, the plow, and the crank axlehaving theland wheel journaled thereon, of the evener comprising a leverfitting loosely on said axle, means for adjusting and locking said leverto said frame, and a spring fixed to said axle and having one endsecured to said lever, whereby the land wheel may follow irregularitieson the surface of the ground without aifectin g the plow, substantiallyas described.

6. In a sulky plow, the combination with the plow frame, of a crank axleand wheel journaled thereon and the ovenercomprising a lever loose onsaid axle, means for securing said lever in a fixed posit-ion in respectto said frame, and a resilient coupling between said axle and lever,whereby said axle and wheel are adapted to conform to any unevenness inthe surface of the ground without affecting the plow, substantially asdescribed.

7. In combination with the sulky frame,

the crank axle having the land wheel journaled thereon, the leverfitting loosely on said i axle, means for-adjusting and locking saidlever in various positions in respect to the frame, and a variableresilient coupling between said axle and lever adapted to permit of thelever, and the adjustable clip connecting the lever and spring, wherebythe force of the spring may be varied or the lever locked to the axle asmay be desired, substantially as described.

9. In combination with the sulky frame supporting the plow beam, thecrank axle having the land wheel journaled thereon, the verticallyadjustable spindle carrying the furrow wheel, the hand-lever pivotallysupported on said frame, the co-acting foot-lever also fulcru med on theframe,the rods independently connecting said levers with the adjustingmechanism of the furrow wheel; the connection with one of said leversbeing above its fulcrum and that of the other below the same,

and means for locking said hand-lever to said crank axle, substantiallyas described.

10. In combination with the lifting lever, the pivoted spring-supportingrod and the counter-balancing spring placed on said rod and adapted tobe compressed on the forward movement of the lever so as to store powerfor use in raising the plow; the fulcrum of the lever being eccentric tothe pivot of the rod so as to gradually increase the leverage as thepower of the spring is increased and vice versa, substantially asdescribed.

11. In combination with the plow, the elevating mechanism, comprisingthe lifting lever connected to said plow and the counterbalancing springconnected to said lever so as to operate with a constantly increasing-advantage in raising the plow but with graduallydiminishing force whilethe leverage gradually decreases, whereby the power of the springisequalized throughout the movement of the lever, substantially asdescribed.

12. In combination with the plow, the lifting lever fulcrumed upon theframe of the machine, the pivo ed rod having its fulcrum or pivotalsupport above that of said lever and eccentric thereto, with its freeend arranged to slide in a bracket or support fixed upon said lever, anda coiled spring placed on said rod and adapted on the forward movementof the lever to gradually store power and resist the movement of thelever while the leverage of the latter increases, and to aid in liftingthe plow on the reverse movement, substantially as described.

13. In combination with the plow and the lifting lever, the bracket adjusta'bly secured to said lever, the bracket adjustably secured to theframeof the machine, the rod pivoted at one end to one of said bracketsand having its opposite end arranged to slide in an opening of the otherbracket, and a coiled spring interposed between said brackets on saidrod, whereby the tension of the spring and the leverage may be varied byadjusting said brackets, substantially as described.

14. In combination with the plow beam and the rear wheel support, thebracket or casting adj-ustably secured to said beam and provided with alongitudinalslot, the wheel-supporting rod or bar extending lengthwiseof said casting and having a fastening bolt working in said slot, andmeans for securing said parts in the desired position, substantially asdescribed.

Intestimony whereof we affix oursignatures in presence of two witnesses.

STALEY D. POOLE. BRADFORD CROSS.

lVitnesses:

WM. BUTTERWORTH, FRED H. COOPER.

